Self Harming
Relevant Regulations
| ENGLAND | WALES |
|---|---|
|
The Positive Relationships Standard The Protection of Children Standard |
The Regulated Services (Service Providers and Responsible Individuals) Regulations 2017 Schedule 3 – Part 2 and Part 4 |
Related guidance
Broadly defined, self-harm refers to the deliberate attempt to physically injure oneself without causing death. This can include self-mutilation (e.g. cutting behaviours), self-poisoning, burning, scalding, banging, and hair-pulling.
Although clearly damaging, alcohol and drugs misuse, eating disorders, unsafe sex and other excessively risky behaviour, such as dangerous driving, are not generally classified as self-harm.
If a child is suspected or found to be self harming, the Strategies that should be taken are those determined by any existing plan, for example, in the child's Placement/Personal Plan.
If no plan or strategy exists, all reasonable measures should be taken to reduce or prevent continuation of the behaviour.
This may include providing additional supervision, confiscation of materials that may be used to self harm or, as a Last Resort, use of Physical Intervention or calling for assistance from the emergency services.
If there is any suspicion that the child may be involved in self harming, the social worker must be informed and a risk assessment undertaken with a view to deciding whether a Strategy should be adopted to reduce or prevent the behaviour. That strategy should be included in the child's Placement/Personal Plan.
If necessary, specialist advice or support should be sought.
Minor or non persistent self-harming should be notified to the Manager at the first opportunity; the manager will decide whether to inform the relevant social worker.
Serious or persistent self harming must be notified immediately to the Home's Manager and the relevant Social Worker notified within 1 working day - the social worker should be consulted and consideration given to whether a Child Protection Referral should be made, if so, see Child Protection Referrals Procedure.
The Designated Manager (Self Harming) should also be notified and consideration given to whether the incident is a Notifiable Event, see Notification of Serious Events Procedure.
All self harming must be recorded in the Home's Daily Log and relevant child's Daily Record.
An Incident Report must also be completed.
If First Aid is administered, details must be recorded.
The Child's Placement Plan should be reviewed with a view to incorporating strategies to reduce or prevent future incidents.
Last Updated: July 9, 2024
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